Fansided

5 ways the 76ers can get back in the series

By Rucker Haringey

PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 5: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 5: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 05: Philadelphia 76ers Forward Ersan Ilyasova (23) shields the ball from Boston Celtics Forward Jayson Tatum (0) in the first half during the Eastern Conference Semifinal Game between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers on May 05, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 05: Philadelphia 76ers Forward Ersan Ilyasova (23) shields the ball from Boston Celtics Forward Jayson Tatum (0) in the first half during the Eastern Conference Semifinal Game between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers on May 05, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Start Ersan Ilyasova

Dario Saric is a better player than Ersan Ilyasova, but that doesn’t mean he should remain the starter throughout this series. Inserting Ilyasova into the starting five could give Brett Brown’s lineup some much-needed energy.

Even more important than the energy Ilyasova plays with is the space he can provide the Philadelphia offense. Saric was a competent 3-point shooter during the season, but his true shooting is just over 50 percent in the postseason. His inability to make perimeter shots has definitely made life more difficult for Joel Embiid on the block.

If Ilyasova can make 3s at a high percentage then he becomes an interesting option for Brown. He’s going to get hammered on the other end of the floor, but Embiid can help cover for his defensive mistakes at the rim. At this stage of the series, Philadelphia’s priority needs to be scoring points against the stingy Celtics defense.

Starting Ilyasova over Saric might seem like a minor tweak, but it’s something that could swing the series in the 76ers’ favor. Time will tell if Brown has the nerve to move Saric to the bench.

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